The Atlanta Falcons entered the NFL Draft offseason as a potential wild card due to their glaring need for a quarterback. However, General Manager Terry Fontenot has a reputation for prioritizing the best player available rather than reaching for positional needs. Speculation about the Falcons’ draft plans shifted when Kirk Cousins signed a substantial contract with the team, seemingly addressing the quarterback position.
With the quarterback need potentially addressed, Fontenot now has the flexibility to focus on selecting the best player available or a player who fills a need on the roster. Dallas Turner has emerged as a popular prospect projected to go at the number eight spot in mock drafts, and this consensus extends beyond just fictional mocks. Interestingly, even Vegas odds from DraftKings suggest that Dallas Turner is the frontrunner at +150.
An anonymous NFC executive also mentioned to ESPN’s Jordan Reid that the Falcons could target any pass rusher with the ability to impact the quarterback in the first round. While fans may have differing opinions, the majority of Falcons fans seem to believe that the team will select a pass rusher or a defensive player in general.
However, there is one notable voice that stands out: Brian Baldinger. Unlike hot take artists, Baldinger is a respected figure in the industry, and he expressed his belief on Twitter that the Falcons will indeed select a quarterback in the first round, contrary to prevailing expectations.
Ultimately, with the Kirk Cousins signing and the draft still ahead, the Falcons’ plans remain uncertain. The quarterback position may still be a possibility, but the team’s draft strategy could go in multiple directions, including addressing their pass rush or other defensive needs.
You make a compelling argument for why it’s highly unlikely that the Atlanta Falcons will select a quarterback with their No. 8 pick in the draft. The signing of Kirk Cousins suggests that the team is focused on immediate competitiveness rather than grooming a successor. Additionally, you point out that the available quarterback prospects by the time the Falcons are on the clock, such as Michael Penix and Bo Nix, may not be considered worth selecting at that high of a pick.
The Falcons’ intention to compete and their significant investment in Cousins with a $180 million contract further support the notion that they are not prioritizing a quarterback in the first round. While they may consider a quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 as a developmental option, using their first-round pick on a quarterback would be a surprising move.
Considering these factors, the chances of the Falcons selecting a quarterback with their No. 8 pick appear to be extremely low. The team seems focused on immediate competitiveness and addressing other pressing needs rather than investing in a quarterback at that point in the draft.
